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One of the most common questions Dr. G gets asked is, ‘when to start using an anti aging regimen?’.

“By the time your mid 20’s roll around, collagen production has already started slowing down. Collagen is one of three structural proteins that our bodies produce. Elastin and Glycosaminoglycans are the other two, which we will get to. Collagen is responsible for providing tissue and organs strength. As we age collagen is produced less and tissue begins to disconnect thus creating wrinkles, dryness and sagging skin. Elastin also plays a big role in aging, although not as plentiful in the skin as collagen, it is still important. Elastin is responsible for stretching abilities and ‘snapping back’, think of the word ‘elastic’. Once elastin starts to diminish, skin will look saggy, sunken and limp. Glycosaminoglycans are responsible for keeping collagen and elastin supported in the cellular space.” Dermatologist, Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD

If you missed the mid 20’s starting mark, do not worry. The good news is it is never too late to start an anti-aging regimen!

Dr. G created a proprietary complex named PURFLORA, found in our Plant Profusion Collection , that includes ingredients which tackle many of the signs of aging. Plant Profusion is an anti-aging collection that is made up of plant stem cells and other supercharged anti-oxidants. The specialized complex, PURFLORA, combines a potent blend made up of Raspberry Leaf Extract, Comfrey Stem Cells, White Tea Leaf Extract, Garden Crest Sprouts and Birds of Paradise Extract. The benefits result in skin tone and texture improvement, overall brightness + reduction of unwanted pigmentation, increase of the skin barrier function and an overall hydrated glow.

If you are already on a Goldfaden MD regimen and are ready to start using superior anti-aging targeted products, Plant Profusion can be easily incorporated. Focusing on intense skin rejuvenation, hydration and brightness, we created a serum, eye cream, neck cream and night cream. While the new collection was created to enhance the core collection, there can be some confusion in the beginning. Below are a few questions you may be asking yourself.

Q & A with Dr. G

Can I use The Supreme Serum with Fleuressence oil?

No. Fleuressence is an oil and the new Supreme Serum is oil free. Our suggestions is to use Fleuressence during the day and Supreme Serum at night. Or use one every other day. For intense anti-aging benefits Supreme Serum should be used at least once a day.

Can I use Bright Eyes + Energetic Eye Cream together?

Yes. Bright Eyes can be used during the day or during warmer months. Energetic Eye Cream is richer in texture and contains caffeine (de-puff) and Quinoa for its proteins and riboflavins (help to rebuild thin skin). Bright Eyes targets darkness and puffiness and Energetic eye Cream targets them as well in addition to rebuilding the thin eye area skin and encouraging collagen production thus getting rid of line and wrinkles.

Why can’t I use my neck creams on my face and vice versa?

The Lifting Neck Cream was formulated with specific ingredients (peptides and pink grapefruit oil) to target sagging thin neck skin, along with the horizontal bands and hyper pigmentation that can appear with age. The neck also tends to be drier than the face and needs more moisture. However, people make the mistake of using neck creams that are too heavy-when all they need to a medium weight neck cream. Your neck doesn’t absorb in the same manner the face does, so less is more when it comes to the neck.

People have been taking better care and are more focused of their facial skin but a face that looks youthful paired with a neck and chest that show the signs of sun damage and photo-aging can make people look unnatural and ‘done’. The truth is, one can always tell someone’s age, but looking at their neck and hands – two areas that are constantly exposed and often forgotten about. Discover the science behind how the neck ages and tips on how to reverse skin aging.

We sat down with Dr. G to get the 411 on how to properly care for our neck.

Why does the neck area age so quickly?

The neck skin is not attached to any bones, and therefore will be one of the first areas to display the pull of gravity. That also means that it is aging both vertically and horizontally causing sagging and lines all over. The neck is often forgotten when it comes time to protect the skin. The neck is exposed to elements such as sun and environmental pollutants.

What’s the look that every 40-something woman and over wants from her neck? The look of tight, taught, even toned and hydrated skin. No discoloration, dehydrated, crepey skin or horizontal bands.

Is there a celebrity poster women for a good chin and neck?

Jennifer Lopez

What can we do at home as part of a daily routine?

Start with exfoliation (I always recommend to my patients our Fresh A Peel as it exfoliates, brightens and hydrates in one) to rid the neck area of dead skin, dirt, debris and as a rule of thumb, try to remember to extend your facial treatments down through the neck and decollate area. Incorporate neck cream that contains anti-aging ingredients and was developed for the neck area. When choosing a neck cream look for peptides, hydrating lightweight oils (remember we don’t produce oil on the neck, so the skin often gets dehydrated quickly), and ingredients that offer brightening and DNA repair. Wearing an SPF on the neck and chest area is a must everyday. We also look down a lot (at our computers and phones), which causes more wrinkles. Try and place your computer higher up on your desk and hold your phone up when texting or reading. Always stand up straight as good posture can help prevent wrinkles.

Why is the skin there so very tricky?

The neck has no pores, hair follicles or sweat glands, therefore doesn’t produce oil like the face does, making it susceptible to dehydration. The skin of the neck and chest are is thinner tissue than the face and is damaged more easily. Many people ignore the neck forget that it is exposed to the elements. The sagging and crepiness is due to loss of collagen. Discoloration may be present due to sun damage or hormones and can range from speckled darkness to redness and uneven tone.

Is it better to use dedicated products or can you just use your face creams?

If it is better to use dedicated ones why please? Dedicated neck products are recommended. Do not use anti-aging face creams on the neck. The neck is more delicate than the face, has no pores and cannot absorb many of the ingredients in facial products. Always apply the cream in an upward motion. Never pull, tug or rub the neck skin.

Any tips such as for example wearing sun screen on your neck?

When protecting or restoring the neck, always extend your exfoliation treatment down to the neck and décolleté area. Incorporate a neck cream with ingredients that target discoloration, dehydration, tightness and cell turnover such as peptides, amino acids, oil of grapefruit and birds of paradise. Always wear an SPF or cover the neck area when outdoors as this will help to mitigate discoloration. No one is too young to start protecting the neck area!

Waking up looking refreshed requires more than just the absence of under eye darkness or puffiness, the skin tells the story. To understand better what actually happens to our bodies and minds while we sleep and why it is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, we sat down with Dr. G to get the scoop.

What controls sleep?

Hormones play a major part of healthy sleep. Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain by the pineal gland and helps to regulate the sleep wake cycle. Human growth hormone or (GH) is released during sleep and hence it’s name, helps to regenerate and grow healthy cells. Studies have shown that ingesting oral melatonin before bed can increase growth hormone by over 150%. As melatonin levels decline with age, only minuscule amounts of the small quantities produced by those suffering from sleep problems actually reach the skin. Ingesting melatonin before bedtime is extremely effective in getting the hormone levels back in balance and delivering a healthy sleep.

Other studies have shown that going straight to the source and applying melatonin directly to the skin may allow those suffering from insomnia to benefit from it’s rejuvenating powers, not only for restoring the appearance and texture of skin, but also in getting a good night’s sleep.

What ingredients should we use night and why?

The restorative power of sleep is vital for rejuvenating and repairing the skin and is controlled by the hormone melatonin. Melatonin production increases and peaks around 2am, so applying a night cream before bed enhances your skin’s ability to rest and reset. Wearing anti-aging products at night allows skin to absorb all the nutrients and ingredients while being in a relaxed state and out range of UV rays and pollution.

During the nighttime hours, the skin springs into action to repair itself back into balance through a restorative and renewal process.The most potent anti-aging ingredients to look for in a night cream include: Retinoids, Peptides and Melatonin. The efficacy of melatonin as a topical agent also offers a promising avenue to enhance the skin’s nightly repair cycle.

Peptides encourage skin cell growth and collagen production. Peptides are made up of a string of amino acids held together by tough bonds of nitrogen and carbon that act as messengers to send out signals which tell the receptors on your skin cells how they should perform. A few of the most beneficial peptides include palmitoyl pentapeptide-3,which is a peptide that triggers a natural heal-and-repair response that stimulates the development of collagen and elastin, encourages new fibroblast growth, and increases the production of skin cells. Acetyl hexapeptide-3 is a powerful wrinkle-reducing peptide that works by hindering a signal protein called catecholamine that triggers muscle contraction, thereby relaxing your facial muscles.

Melatonin plays a key role in rejuvenating skin by stimulating the growth of major skin cells such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Fibroblasts produce the essential proteins collagen and elastin, which provide structural support for the skin. Melatonin has also been shown to be effective against skin aging. It has powerful antioxidant properties by quenching mainly hydroxyl radicals, the most damaging of all radicals.

What can we do to ensure a good night’s sleep?

Set yourself up for success by making your bedroom into a successful sleeping area. Sleep with your head slightly elevated can help with fluid retention in the facial area. Fluid retention occurs while we sleep because we are lying flat and circulation can be affected. Excess sugar, salt and alcohol will add to fluid retention. Consumption of all these pollutants can escalate swelling and puffiness to the eyes and face. Try to avoid alcohol before bed as it leads to uneven sleep rhythms in the brain as well as fluid retention.

Top tips for a good night’s sleep:

Keep your bedroom at a cool temperature

Silk pillow case-softer and less absorbent than cotton-silk won’t dry skin out and also causes less pulling and tugging if you’re a face sleeper

Wear earplugs to ensure silence

Noise machine- used to calm babies and help them sleep, noise machines can be beneficial for falling asleep as well as staying asleep

Stop using electronics an hour before bedtime and keep your phone/tablet out of the bedroom-blue light interferes with sleep

Eat plant based high fat foods with dinner to stay satiated and balance blood sugar while asleep